where tradition meets technology

Monarke

Monarke Church Organs

Music lifts the spirit and transports people out of their everyday concerns. Sometimes the desire for musical expression results in something exceptional, as is the case at Johannus. For this desire we have invented an instrument that will change the organ world forever.

We are organ builders driven by a passionate desire to create beauty. In our endeavour to create the perfect organ we often listen to and draw inspiration from famous pipe organs. The road to success has been long. We spent more than twenty-five years working on a dream. We sought to master the many features of the pipe organ. We recreated the effects we were seeking using highresolution samples, computer chips and advanced software. And then… all of a sudden we heard the sound of a monumental pipe organ!

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Philosophy & History

Music lifts the spirit and transports people out of their everyday concerns. Sometimes the desire for musical expression results in something exceptional, as is the case at Johannus. For this desire we have invented an instrument that will change the organ world forever. We are organ builders driven by a passionate desire to create beauty. In our endeavour to create the perfect organ we often listen to and draw inspiration from famous pipe organs. The road to success has been long. We spent more than twenty-five years working on a dream. We sought to master the many features of the pipe organ. We recreated the effects we were seeking using highresolution samples, computer chips and advanced software. And then… all of a sudden we heard the sound of a monumental pipe organ! It was rooted in the sound of a Johannus Organ but it wasn’t a Johannus - resounding even more authentically with the spirit of the old masters.

Organ builders and organists came from far and wide to admire our achievement. They acknowledged that the Monarke organ has ushered in a new era in organ building. The organ builders of the past created not only an unmatchable sound, but were also extremely accomplished cabinet makers. We pay tribute to them in that respect, for each Monarke organ is an outstanding example of masterful craftsmanship. Maybe you find this hard to believe. It is understandable given the claims made these days. So why not come and listen with your own ears - like the many famous organists before you. We guarantee that you will be convinced!

Marco en René van de Weerd

Board of Directors Johannus Orgelbouw

"The organ is the King of all Instruments"

“The organ is the King of Instruments”

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart [1756 - 1791] Austrian composer

King of instruments

The organ is the King of Instruments. Under the hands of the organist it comes to life. Organ flutes, principals, strings and reeds all perform in perfect harmony to create that exquisite timbre, that overwhelming sound. When we established Monarke back in 1980 we were determined to match the majestic sound of the pipe organ with uncompromising technology. Since then we have built thousands of Monarke organs and installed them in churches, concert halls, music schools and homes all over the world.

"Music begins with silence"

“Music begins with silence”

Mstislav Rostropovich [1927-2007] Russian cellist

Silence

In nature silence is sometimes almost audible - amidst the rustle of leaves, the sway of the grass, the sweep of a cow’s tail… The organ begins to breathe. Impressive, captivating sounds fill the air - harmonious, natural, authentic. The natural quality of the sound of a Monarke organ is based on years of research and development - years of in-depth study of the most effective recording and reproduction techniques, acoustic possibilities, tuning and choice of style. This led to the creation of a unique new organ that is clearly on par with a pipe organ. An organ with its own unique sound and exquisite casework made with only the most beautiful types of wood - the Monarke organ.

"Nothing less than a vocation"

“Being an organ builder is more than a profession, it is nothing less than a vocation”

Gert A. van de Weerd

Passion

The people who work for Monarke are passionate about building organs. A team of designers, cabinet makers, sound engineers and musicians harmoniously create unique instruments time and time again. Each Monarke organ is individually created based on customer requirements. The instrument is carefully fine-tuned to its environment. This makes a Monarke organ beautiful to look at and great to listen to.

"The organ elevates the soul"

“The organ elevates the soul”

Saint Thomas Aquinas [1225-1274] Italian philosopher and theologian

Quality

The sonorous sound of the organ rouses the emotions, quiets the mind and elevates the soul. The organist knows it, feels it, and hears it. In churches, auditoriums and concert halls Monarke organs create the same effect as a full pipe organ. Keyboards, pedals, stop knobs… everything is perfect. But above all it is the sound that is utterly convincing. The quality of the sound is the key - the sound of the organ in all of its fullness. Monarke organs are the ultimate alternative to the classical pipe organ.

The organ

or·gan

1 musical instrument from which sounds are produced by air forced through pipes; played by keys pressed with the fingers and pedals pressed with the feet

or·gan pipe

1 the sound producing element of a pipe organ or·gan stop 1 a set of pipes of a similar tone in an organ

2 the handle of the mechanism that brings such a set into action

In the heart of the Netherlands

Monarke is housed in an impressive neoclassical building in Ede, in the heart of the Netherlands - an inspiring setting where passionate designers, musicians and specialised sound engineers work together to develop and build Monarke organs.

Organs that meet every requirement

Each Monarke organ is tailor made from start to finish. The casework, the size, the colours, the layout, the console, the sound, the stops, the sound system, the tuning… The specialists of Monarke are able to design and build organs that meet every need and requirement. It is also possible to connect old or new [winded] pipe organs to a Monarke system creating a so-called hybrid organ. The Monarke console then operates both the pipes and the digital voices.

Churches often need a new console for an existing pipe organ - again Monarke is the ideal solution. Regardless of whether it is installed in an ornate historic building or a simple modern building and regardless of the size of the room, a Monarke organ accomodates and enhances every setting - the sound is always utterly convincing.

The best organ, the most exquisite casework

Organ building at Monarke is based on a long tradition of craftsmanship and thorough knowledge of woodworking. The cabinet makers at Monarke only work with the most beautiful types of wood - pale light oak, solid Old Dutch oak, gleaming mahogany, fiery cherry… these are just a few of the woods in our extensive set of samples. We can also combine different types of wood in the casework, keyboards and drawknobs to create an organ with its own unique design. This is how Monarke creates the best possible organ in the most beautiful ornate, whimsical, contemporary or plain casework that meets every requirement.

Precisely the right arrangement

To match the rich sound of the pipe organ Monarke only works with its own recordings of the most beautiful historic organs. Each pipe, each stop, each register… everything is recorded separately with the greatest attention to detail. The natural imperfections that give the organ its exquisite timbre are also included in the recording. Monarke’s specialist sound engineers then combine the perfect digitised organ recordings to create the desired disposition.

Technology, innovation is standard

Monarke has been developing its electronic church organ since 1980. It started with the idea of creating an affordable alternative to the costly pipe organ without compromising on the sound. As a result, Monarke has developed the digital and audio techniques that have enabled it to match the sound of the pipe organ. The Research & Development Department is still initiating new projects that continue to perfect the quality of the sound of the Monarke organ. In other words, innovation is something that we at Monarke do every day.

Sampling

Real Time Sampling® Real Time Sampling® makes it possible to record and reproduce all of the different sounds of the pipe organ one by one. Monarke only uses these original sounds. It does not use computer-synthesised sounds.

Multi Sampling® Multi Sampling® gives each key of a Monarke organ its own characteristic profile and tone. The result is a highly authentic reproduction of the original sound of the pipe organ.

Long Loop Samples® Long Loop Samples® are recordings that last for seconds. That is why they reproduce the sound of the wind in the organ pipe and natural fluctuations in volume and sound. This makes Monarke organs sound vivid and authentic.

Multi Channel Audio System® The advanced Multi Channel Audio System® is essential in creating the sound of the Monarke organ. The many channels and speakers assure the accurate reproduction of pipe organ sounds.

Everything comes together and becomes one

Once all of the different parts of the organ have been crafted, they are delivered to the Assembly Department which assembles the Monarke organ step by step. Console, keys, stop knobs, pedals, organ pipes, advanced electronics… everything is assembled with the greatest precision. So each Monarke organ is totally unique.

Each sound has its own colour

Voicing is essential. For regardless of how good the technology is, it is only meticulous voicing that creates the most beautiful pipe organ sound. Once the Monarke organ has been assembled, the voicing specialist fine-tunes the timbre of each stop. This is done in the factory and again on site to voice the organ to the acoustics of the room. The style of the organist and the distinction of the congregation are also taken into account. In this way the voicing specialist always creates precisely the right sound for each room.

Carefully installed all over the world

Monarke transports its organs in all kinds of ways to places all over the world. In trucks, planes and ships, or even in parts in a canoe. Each Monarke organ is carefully packed prior to transport. A Monarke representative is normally present to ensure that everything goes smoothly during transport. Sometimes the installation of a Monarke organ requires a great deal of work.

Then there is music!

The organ has been installed. Everyone holds their breath… Then there is music - rich, distinguished and homogenous despite the many different tones. A perfect harmony of distinct individual registers. A majestic pipe organ… A Monarke organ.

Satisfied users all over the world

There are Monarke organs in churches, cathedrals, auditoriums, concert halls, music schools and living rooms all over the world. Some of our more striking installations include a magnificent mobile console and monitor system with two pipe façades in the Novosibirsk Concert Hall in Russia, a Monarke Gigue organ in the historic cathedral in Havana in Cuba, and an impressive organ with four pipe façades for Georgetown College in the United States.